Tip Ton, a new chair designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby and developed by Vitra in Switzerland will be unveiled at Milan’s Salone del Mobile Internazionale in April.

The name ‘Tip Ton’ hints at the characteristic dual-function seating experience which defines the chair. From a resting position it tilts forward until the sitter reaches a defined point in the forward position. The key element of this seemingly simple action lies in a 9 degree tilt created by the shape of the chair’s floor skids.

Above image is by Marc Eggimann

In the forward position the sitter moves closer to a table or desk while their spine remains straight. This sitting position, which until now has only been offered by office chairs, straightens the pelvis and spine and improves blood flow.

“We realised that creating dynamic movement in a chair can actually help a person’s concentration,” says Jay Osgerby. Research * shows that increased muscular activity in the abdomen and back regions can be beneficial to health because movement increases the flow of oxygen around the body which can aid concentration.

Above image is by Marc Eggimann

Tip Ton is made from 100% recyclable polypropylene and weighs just 4.5kg. “Durability, longevity and zero maintenance are key aspects,” says Edward Barber. “The chair is stackable and makes very little noise when moved around.”

“It is also virtually indestructible which makes it suitable for any environment,” adds Jay Osgerby.

Tip Ton’s qualities, including the forward tilt and stackability, are not obvious at first glance. However it is from these inherent characteristics that the chair derives its design credentials, energy and individual character.

“TipTon offers a new way of sitting – almost a new typology,” says Eckart Maise, Vitra’s chief design officer. “It’s a very dynamic way of sitting, which has proven physical and mental benefits, but it’s also fun because your movement occurs in an intuitive way.”

“It was very challenging to make because the design is much more complex than it appears,” he adds. “At Vitra we think it has turned out well because it’s an expressive chair, with a strong personality, yet it’s also very democratic because it is made in low- cost plastic.”

“The issue with chairs is that there are many ways to sit,” says Rolf Fehlbaum, Vitra’s chairman. “TipTon approaches the problem differently and, to my knowledge, is the first chair to do so. It offers two positions – a forward-leaning position and a relax position. All this happens without a mechanism – just with the ‘intelligence’ of a simple distortion built into the base.”